318i Manual not starting

[garnerj]

Hi from Down under,

My recently acquired manual 318i has now decided not run. My son was driving it this morning and mentioned the motor cut out when briefly in neutral approaching a junction. He started it up fine and continued his journey.

Later on in the day just before stopping at lights that same thing happened only this time no crank when trying to restart. All the lights are on but no crank. Road service picked him up and as it won't start say its the starter motor but that wouldn't explain cutting out. They tested the battery and said it's fine. Could this be a bad earth? Any help or ideas on what to check greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[Eric93se]

This is a weird one, at first sounds like fuel pump or cam sensor, but then the failure to crank sounded like starter.

Check the main engine ground wire. Its usually under the car engine to chassis.

[garnerj]

Sure is odd and could be two issues. The good news is tonight I've managed to get the car going by push starting it and drove it the hour back to my place. No stalling but noticed the idle does drop lower than I'd like sometimes which could be what happened when it cut out with my son. Before push starting I checked the battery and even tried a jump from another car but still nothing when the key turned. I just tried it after the trip and when I turn the key I hear a noticeable click from what I guess is the solenoid on the starter. So maybe it's the starter stuck? Could it be a relay? I have checked the earths with a multimeter and they seem ok.

[Eric93se]

When turning the key to the start position the guages light up?